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So he’s now got the armband on, he can go out there, he can do his stuff.

Gary Neville

“I think it’s a good move,” Neville said on Sky Sports, when asked about the captaincy decision.

“I think what Jose Mourinho saw and what all of us saw in the summer was Paul Pogba smashing the middle of the France changing room, calling on the rest of the players, demanding more from them. He seemed to be a leader in that dressing room for France.

“I think what Jose Mourinho is saying is ‘that’s what I need out here on this pitch in the first part of this season’.

“’You’ve done it for France in the summer, do it here now for this club, do it for me, do it for the rest of your teammates’. That’s the big thing.

Jose Mourinho made Pogba captain due to the absence of Antonio Valencia (Image: REUTERS)

“People will say ‘can Jose Mourinho get the best out of Paul Pogba?’. Can Paul Pogba get the best out of Paul Pogba? What about the player?

“So he’s now got the armband on, he can go out there, he can do his stuff.

“He’s got two with him in midfield, there’s now a three, there’s no excuses about having to get in quickly.

“Of course he does, but he’s got Fred with him, he’s got other players as well.

“So for me it’s a big season for Paul Pogba, it’s a good move, let’s see how Paul Pogba gets on tonight.”